Norovirus, a virus that causes intestinal infections that are transmitted through food

What is a norovirus infection?

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that commonly cause disorders in the digestive tract. Norovirus infection results in inflammation of the stomach and intestines or acute gastroenteritis. This viral infection is one of the main causes of stomach upset or food poisoning.

The virus can be transmitted from contact with infected people, touching contaminated surfaces, and eating food exposed to the virus.

You can be infected with this virus more than once and experience disorders such as weakness, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. There is no specific treatment for norovirus infection.

In most people, the disorder due to this viral infection will go away on its own. However, you need to increase your fluid intake to prevent dehydration.

How common is this viral infection?

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, China is hit by another outbreak due to norovirus infection. The Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 30 outbreaks of norovirus with 1,500 cases occurring nationwide since September 2020.

However, norovirus is not actually a new virus. Norovirus comes from a completely different type of virus from the type of coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 pandemic. The mode of human-to-human transmission between the norovirus and the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is also different.

In the United States, norovirus causes 19 million to 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis per year on average. The CDC reports that in the country this virus also causes about 450,000 cases in the Emergency Department.

This figure is half of the total number of outbreak cases that occur due to food each year. Norovirus infection can occur throughout the year and is more common in winter.

However, it is possible that this virus will also appear in Indonesia. Studies published in the journal PubMed This observed 31 patients aged 1-60 months who had diarrhea.

The result was 19% percent of the sample tested positive for norovirus by molecular testing (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) RT-PCR.

This means that the norovirus is also present in Indonesia, but until now there have been no reports of an outbreak affecting an area in Indonesia due to this virus infection.

Signs and symptoms of norovirus infection

Symptoms of norovirus infection will usually appear after 12-24 hours of contracting the virus.

A person who is infected with norovirus will feel suddenly weak and not feeling well. This disturbance will then be followed by digestive problems.

In general, norovirus infection can cause symptoms such as:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Throws up
• Stomach ache
• Fever
• Headache
• Joint and muscle pain

Vomiting is a symptom of norovirus infection that is more common in children. Meanwhile, diarrhea is more common in adults. The same goes for stomach cramps and nausea.

Most cases of this viral infection do not cause serious symptoms. This disease can be cured in a short time. Symptoms generally begin to subside within 1-3 days.

However, when you are sick you can vomit and have diarrhea many times a day. This can deplete the body's needed fluids, causing severe dehydration if not treated quickly and appropriately.

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

Although this viral infection can subside on its own, the onset of severe symptoms is possible. Severe symptoms may take longer to heal, especially if you have a congenital disease.

Severe cases are usually experienced by the elderly and children with weak immune systems.

You need to be aware if you experience continuous vomiting and diarrhea. Children who experience severe symptoms may be at higher risk of becoming dehydrated.

If you experience the following symptoms of serious norovirus infection and signs of dehydration, seek medical help or see a doctor immediately:

• The diarrhea lasts for days
• Bloody vomit or bowel movements
• The frequency of urination decreases
• Dry mouth and throat
• Dizziness and weakness when standing
• Children cry without tears

Disease caused by norovirus

Norovirus was originally called the Norwalk virus, the name of the city in Ohio where an outbreak caused by this virus first spread in 1972. Norovirus belongs to the Caliciviridae virus family.

Along with rotavirus, this virus is a common cause of digestive disorders such as acute inflammation of the stomach or intestines.

When it enters the body, the virus will attack healthy cells in the stomach to replicate. Not infrequently, norovirus can also damage immune cells to multiply.

This process will result in inflammation of the stomach or intestines which in turn will cause a number of digestive disorders. The infection will usually last for 1-3 days.

Mode of transmission of the norovirus

This virus can be transmitted from human to human. The most common mode of transmission is via the oral or oral route of consumption of contaminated food or drink.

Norovirus is also spread by touching a contaminated surface, then touching the nose, eyes or mouth. This is because the virus is able to survive outside the body of living things and is resistant to cold temperatures, hot air or disinfectants.

In addition, this virus can also be easily transmitted if there is close contact with an infected person.

The thing to watch out for is that even though an infected person has recovered, he can still transmit the virus to other people for an average of three days after recovering.

After the viral infection stops and the symptoms have disappeared, the virus is actually still in the patient's feces for the next 60 days. In people with immune deficiencies, the virus can be carried in the stool for months to years.

This condition is one of the factors that makes the norovirus outbreak difficult to control.

Risk factors

Anyone can be infected with this virus. However, people who experience the following factors are at greater risk of becoming infected with norovirus:

• Eating food that is not properly processed or not cooked to the maximum level of doneness.
• Living or engaging in activities in closed or isolated places.
• Located in places that allow many people to gather at close range, such as tourist attractions.
• Come into close contact with an infected person.

Diagnosis and treatment of norovirus infection

Initially, the doctor will perform a physical examination and observe your symptoms to determine the cause of the pain you are experiencing.

The diagnosis of norovirus infection can be confirmed by testing in the laboratory by examining a stool sample.

In fact, there is no specific treatment for norovirus infection. It is important to know that antibiotics cannot be used to treat viral infections.

Despite this, studies from journals Clinical Microbiology Reviews stresses the importance of increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration. Especially if the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea are quite often experienced.

Ways of norovirus treatment that can be done to increase body fluids are:

• Increase drinking water.
• Taking ORS to replace the body's lost electrolytes and minerals.
• Consume nutritious and soup foods such as chicken broth.
• Eat boiled bananas and vegetables.
• Avoid foods or drinks that contain sugar, are high in fat, are too acidic, or are spicy.

How to prevent transmission

Norovirus is a virus that is contagious, moreover, you can catch this virus more than once. However, transmission of this virus can be prevented by prioritizing hygiene and healthy behavior.

Follow these steps to prevent transmission of norovirus:

• Wash your hands using soap and running water after doing activities.
• Avoid eating the same foods as other people.
• Wash food, fruit, and vegetables thoroughly before cooking.
• Clean food and cook it until cooked.
• Clean the surface of frequently used objects.
• Avoid eating food served in unhygienic places.

If you have questions or experience complaints such as the symptoms mentioned, immediately consult further to the doctor for the best solution.